1952 Australian Grand Prix

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Flag of Australia svg.png 1952 Australian Grand Prix
Race 10 of 10 in the 1952 Alternate Formula One season
Leyburn.jpg
Date November 2, 1952
Official Name XVII Australian Grand Prix
Location Leyburn, Queensland
Course Airfield Circuit
6.92 km (4.3 mi)
Distance 58 laps, 401.36 km (249.4 mi)
Weather Sunny
Pole Position
Driver Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo
Time 2:45.1
Fastest Lap
Driver Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira Talbot-Lago-Talbot
Time 2:46.7
Podium
First Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira Talbot-Lago-Talbot
Second Flag of Italy svg.png Consalvo Sanesi Gordini
Third Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Reg Parnell Ferrari


The 1952 Australian Grand Prix was the tenth and final race of the 1952 Formula One World Championship and was held in Leyburn on November 2nd 1952. The first Australian Grand Prix to count for the World Championship, it was also the race where the title was decided. Coming to the race, Giuseppe Farina had a 7.5-point lead over B. Bira, but the double champion retired early on while Bira won with the fastest lap, securing his first title. Consalvo Sanesi finished the race in second place for Gordini, ahead of Reg Parnell in the Ferrari.

Background

The season had ended up largely like 1951. Farina had led for most of the way, yet had failed to win a race thus far. Gordini and Talbot-Lago had both had good starts to the season, but had failed to keep their momentum, while the Ferrari drivers had dominated the second half of the season, with five wins, including the preceding four races. Despite this, Farina had managed to score four second places, and came to Leyburn with a 7.5 point lead over Bira, the only other mathematical challenger. Bira would have to win and hope that Farina did not finish in the top four. If Farina finished fourth, Bira would have to score the fastest lap to take the championship. Despite the long distance, 35 drivers were present at the remote airfield circuit, including eight locals.

The second Bleu Talbot-Lago would be driven by the young Lex Davison, who had finished third at the Australian Grand Prix at Bathurst in 1947.

After taking the season off championship racing to try his hand at non-championship races, Tony Gaze returned for his home race in his first drive for an actual team, that team being Scuderia Commesso instead of a private entry.

Ecurie Australie made their second appearance after the 1950 Indianapolis 500. The drivers were 1950 Australian Grand Prix winner Doug Whiteford, young rally driver David McKay and multi-midget champion Jack Brabham, who made his Formula One début.

After Maurice Trintignant's top ten finish at Sebring, Maserati returned with two cars for regular driver Paul Frère and Marcel Balsa, who had already driven for the team in the Netherlands.

Due to a lack of Australia-based drivers, Garage Francorchamps would not be present at this race. Budget issues were also rumoured to be involved.

Scuderia Maremmana returned for their final race under that name. Eric Brandon was the sole European driver this time, as the other two cars were handed to 1951 Australian Grand Prix winner Warwick Pratley and New Zealand GP winner John McMillan.

For their home race, Redman racing team would field a second Maserati for the up-and-coming Stan Jones, who also made his début.

Maria Teresa de Filippis had chosen not to make the costly trip from the USA to Australia.

Bentley reverted to a single car for Geoff Richardson, who had shown to be the better driver.

Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing would exceptionnally field a fourth car for the drive-less Maurice Trintignant, who had brought them their first podium the previous year.

Race weekend

Qualifying

Ferrari put all three cars in the top five, Bira was well placed to take advantage of an eventual retirement from Farina in fifth place, JAMR placed all four cars in the top twelve, and Stan Jones stunned the crowd by not only being the only local driver to make the grid, but also by being the quickest Maserati driver in the field. Fangio and Ruttman disappointed majorly, but still made the grid, while Marcel Balsa showed why he was not in a top car at the time (and never would be).

Pre-race

After the qualifying session, a number of attending supporters stormed the pit area and pillaged the Alfa Romeo pits, disgruntled at the thought of Giuseppe Farina winning yet another world championship. Various parts were destroyed and the cars dismantled. The governing body condemned the fans responsible, as did the rest of the teams, and the series would not return to Australia for a number of years following the incident. With most of Alfa Romeo's machinery being lost, doubt was cast over their participation in the race, but the mechanics managed to retrieve enough parts to rebuild a full car, which was naturally given to Farina. Already unhappy with the team's focus staying on Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio immediately left the circuit and returned home, vowing never to drive for Alfa Romeo again. Stirling Moss, sitting on the sidelines as well, also cast doubt on his future with the team, although he would eventually stay with Alfa Romeo for two more years.

Race

Farina got the better start and led off the line from Serafini and de Graffenried, but the championship leader's car was not well set-up. Due to the last-minute rebuild of the car, he didn't have the capability to fight for the win, and when Serafini came up behind him on the second lap, Farina made no effort to stop him. All he needed was for Bira not to win, and he saw that Serafini had the pace to prevent Bira from winning. However, Farina proved to be his own undoing. At the start of the third lap, a moment's lack of attention saw him brake too late for the first corner and squeeze Serafini off the track and out of the race. Farina was leading again, but knew he didn't have the car to help him win. Behind him, Bira was confident in his machinery, but was driving a tactical race, preferring to hold on until later in the race to push for the win. Parnell wouldn't be a contender, also suffering from issues early on, but Toulo de Graffenried was on the move and challenging Farina for the race lead. Further back, Gonzalez retired after eight miserable laps with a gearbox failure.

At this point, Bira was seventh, but moved up to third in a single lap by scoring what would remain the race's fastest lap, securing a much-needed point in the process. However, Ascari, Parnell, Manzon and Trintignant were right behind him and willing to fight for position, which they did. Suddenly, the race changed on lap 13, when Farina's makeshift engine eventually failed, Porfirio Rubirosa following him on the sidelines. As told in the famous post-race interview with all drivers, he spent the rest of the race in that spot following the events and hoping for a miracle. By then, de Graffenried was leading from Parnell, Ascari, Manzon, Trintignant and Bira, who then promptly passed the Aston-Jag to take fifth position (helped by the lapped Piero Taruffi spinning out of the race ahead of them), which was not enough. He needed to win. On top of that, Harry Schell had caught up and was starting to pass them.

Bira followed the American forward and past Manzon, and on lap 20, the Thai prince's championship hopes only rose as Toulo de Graffenried retired from the race lead, pushing his engine too hard, not aware that his lead was as large as it was. This left Ascari in the lead for Phoenix once more, followed by Schell and Bira, while Parnell dropped back after driving into an escape road to avoid the spinning Lex Davison. Some were quick to point out that Davison was Bira's teammate for the race... However, Parnell and Trintignant soon caught up, leaving Bira in fifth at the halfway point of the race. At the same time, Schell passed Ascari and too the race lead. He didn't keep it for very long, as Ascari regained it on lap 37, while Bira passed Schell on the next lap, catching up to Ascari. On lap 40, Bira was right behind Ascari, but Bettenhausen had a spin just in front of them, giving Ascari some breathing room. He was unable to use it, however, spinning on oil and losing out to Bira, Trintignant and Schell. He then passed them both, but Schell fought back, only to lazily spin out on oil left by Eric Brandon, whose gearbox had just failed. With ten laps remaining, Bira led from Ascari, Johnny Claes, Trintignant, Parnell, Manzon, Pagani, Sanesi, Bracco, Ruttman, Barth, Frère, Macklin, Richardson, Chiron and Jones.

Bira won the race, while the fight for second raged on from second place to eighth! Sanesi won out, ahead of Parnell, while the tiring Ascari won a five-wide slipstreaming fight for fourth place ahead of Manzon, Pagani, Claes and Trintignant. Bira's victory, his third of the season, secured his first world championship.

Classification

Entry list

No Driver Entrant Chassis Engine
1 Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira Flag of France svg.png Motorsport Bleu Talbot-Lago T26C Talbot 23CV 4.5 L6
2 Flag of Australia svg.png Lex Davison Talbot-Lago T26C Talbot 23CV 4.5 L6
3 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Commesso Maserati 4CLT/48 Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
4 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Maserati 4CLT/48 Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
5 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 375B Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
6 Flag of Italy svg.png Dorino Serafini Ferrari 375B Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
7 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Reg Parnell Ferrari 375B Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
8 Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford Flag of Australia svg.png Ecurie Australie Talbot-Lago T26C Talbot 23CV 4.5 L6
9 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham HWM 52 Alta 1.5 L4s
10 Flag of Australia svg.png David McKay HWM 52 Alta 1.5 L4s
11 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png/Flag of France svg.png Alexander Racing Team Gordini T16 Gordini 1.5 L4s
12 Flag of Italy svg.png Consalvo Sanesi Gordini T16 Gordini 1.5 L4s
14 Flag of Belgium svg.png Johnny Claes Flag of Belgium svg.png Claes Racing Developments Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s
15 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s
16 Flag of the United States svg.png Harry Schell Flag of the United States svg.png Ferrari America Ferrari 375 Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
17 Flag of the United States svg.png Troy Ruttman Ferrari 375 Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
18 Flag of Argentina svg.png José Froilán González Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin AM-03 Jaguar XK 3.4 L6
19 Flag of Italy svg.png Piero Taruffi Aston Martin AM-03 Jaguar XK 3.4 L6
20 Flag of Germany svg.png Edgar Barth Flag of Germany svg.png Team Ultimate Ultimate 001 BMW 328 2.0 L6
21 Flag of Belgium svg.png Paul Frère Flag of Italy svg.png Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6
22 Flag of Australia svg.png Warwick Pratley Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Maremmana Ferrari 166S Jaguar XK 3.4 L6
23 Flag of New Zealand svg.png John McMillan Ferrari 166S Jaguar XK 3.4 L6
24 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Eric Brandon Ferrari 166S Jaguar XK 3.4 L6
25 Flag of Italy svg.png Nello Pagani Flag of Australia svg.png Redman Racing Team Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6
26 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s
27 Flag of Italy svg.png Giovanni Bracco Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Ambrosiana Ambrosiana A-001 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s
28 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Ambrosiana A-001 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s
29 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Flag of Italy svg.png Alfa Romeo SpA Alfa Romeo 159/52 Alfa Romeo 159 1.5 L8s
30 Flag of Argentina svg.png Juan Manuel Fangio Alfa Romeo 159/52 Alfa Romeo 159 1.5 L8s
31 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Stirling Moss Alfa Romeo 159/52 Alfa Romeo 159 1.5 L8s
32 Flag of Italy svg.png Alberto Ascari Flag of Spain svg.png Phoenix Racing Organisation Phoenix P-03 Ferrari 375 4.5 V12
33 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Geoff Richardson Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png British Bentley Racing Motors Bentley Speed 2 Bentley 3.0 V16
34 Flag of the United States svg.png Tony Bettenhausen Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin AM-03 Jaguar XK 3.4 L6
35 Flag of France svg.png Marcel Balsa Flag of Italy svg.png Officine Alfieri Maserati Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6
36 Flag of France svg.png Maurice Trintignant Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin AM-03 Jaguar XK 3.4 L6

Qualifying

Pos No Driver Constructor Time Gap
1 29 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo 2:45.1 -
2 6 Flag of Italy svg.png Dorino Serafini Ferrari 2:45.3 + 0.2
3 7 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Reg Parnell Ferrari 2:46.7 + 1.6
4 1 Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira Talbot-Lago-Talbot 2:46.8 + 1.7
5 5 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Ferrari 2:47.4 + 2.3
6 18 Flag of Argentina svg.png José Froilán González Aston Martin-Jaguar 2:47.6 + 2.5
7 32 Flag of Italy svg.png Alberto Ascari Phoenix-Ferrari 2:48.3 + 3.2
8 19 Flag of Italy svg.png Piero Taruffi Aston Martin-Jaguar 2:48.4 + 3.3
9 28 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Ambrosiana-Maserati 2:48.5 + 3.4
10 36 Flag of France svg.png Maurice Trintignant Aston Martin-Jaguar 2:48.6 + 3.5
11 12 Flag of Italy svg.png Consalvo Sanesi Gordini 2:48.7 + 3.6
12 34 Flag of the United States svg.png Tony Bettenhausen Aston Martin-Jaguar 2:49.0 + 3.9
13 16 Flag of the United States svg.png Harry Schell Ferrari 2:49.1 + 4.0
14 14 Flag of Belgium svg.png Johnny Claes Maserati 2:49.2 + 4.1
15 11 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Gordini 2:49.3 + 4.2
16 24 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Eric Brandon Ferrari-Jaguar 2:49.4 + 4.3
17 31 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Stirling Moss Alfa Romeo 2:49.6 + 4.5
18 26 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Maserati 2:49.7 + 4.6
19 25 Flag of Italy svg.png Nello Pagani Maserati 2:49.8 + 4.7
20 20 Flag of Germany svg.png Edgar Barth Ultimate-BMW 2:49.9 + 4.8
21 27 Flag of Italy svg.png Giovanni Bracco Ambrosiana-Maserati 2:50.0 + 4.9
22 3 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron Maserati-Ferrari 2:50.1 + 5.0
23 30 Flag of Argentina svg.png Juan Manuel Fangio Alfa Romeo 2:50.2 + 5.1
24 17 Flag of the United States svg.png Troy Ruttman Ferrari 2:50.3 + 5.2
25 21 Flag of Belgium svg.png Paul Frère Maserati 2:50.5 + 5.4
26 15 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Maserati 2:50.7 + 5.6
27 2 Flag of Australia svg.png Lex Davison Talbot-Lago-Talbot 2:50.9 + 5.8
28 33 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Geoff Richardson Bentley 2:51.2 + 6.1
29 23 Flag of New Zealand svg.png John McMillan Ferrari-Jaguar 2:51.5 + 6.4
30 10 Flag of Australia svg.png David McKay HWM-Alta 2:51.6 + 6.5
31 4 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Maserati-Ferrari 2:52.2 + 7.1
32 22 Flag of Australia svg.png Warwick Pratley Ferrari-Jaguar 2:52.4 + 7.3
33 9 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham HWM-Alta 2:52.5 + 7.4
34 8 Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford Talbot-Lago-Talbot 2:53.2 + 8.1
35 35 Flag of France svg.png Marcel Balsa Maserati 2:53.4 + 8.3

Race

Pos No Driver Constructor Laps Time/Retired Grid Pts
1 1 Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira Talbot-Lago-Talbot 58 2:46:27.6 4 9
2 12 Flag of Italy svg.png Consalvo Sanesi Gordini 57 + 1 lap 11 6
3 7 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Reg Parnell Ferrari 57 + 1 lap 3 4
4 32 Flag of Italy svg.png Alberto Ascari Phoenix-Ferrari 56 + 2 laps 7 3
5 11 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon Gordini 56 + 2 laps 15 2
6 25 Flag of Italy svg.png Nello Pagani Maserati 56 + 2 laps 18
7 14 Flag of Belgium svg.png Johnny Claes Maserati 56 + 2 laps 14
8 36 Flag of France svg.png Maurice Trintignant Aston Martin-Jaguar 56 + 2 laps 10
9 27 Flag of Italy svg.png Giovanni Bracco Ambrosiana-Maserati 55 Transmission 20
10 17 Flag of the United States svg.png Troy Ruttman Ferrari 55 + 3 laps 22
11 20 Flag of Germany svg.png Edgar Barth Ultimate-BMW 55 + 3 laps 19
12 21 Flag of Belgium svg.png Paul Frère Maserati 55 + 3 laps 23
13 15 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Lance Macklin Maserati 54 + 4 laps 24
14 33 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Geoff Richardson Bentley 54 + 4 laps 26
15 3 Flag of Monaco svg.png Louis Chiron Maserati-Ferrari 53 + 5 laps 21
16 26 Flag of Australia svg.png Stan Jones Maserati 53 + 5 laps 17
Ret 16 Flag of the United States svg.png Harry Schell Ferrari 46 Spin 13
Ret 24 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Eric Brandon Ferrari-Jaguar 45 Gearbox 16
Ret 34 Flag of the United States svg.png Tony Bettenhausen Aston Martin-Jaguar 40 Spin 12
Ret 2 Flag of Australia svg.png Lex Davison Talbot-Lago-Talbot 23 Spin 25
Ret 5 Flag of Switzerland svg.png Toulo de Graffenried Ferrari 20 Engine 5
Ret 19 Flag of Italy svg.png Piero Taruffi Aston Martin-Jaguar 14 Spin 8
Ret 29 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo 12 Engine 1
Ret 28 Flag of the Dominican Republic svg.png Porfirio Rubirosa Ambrosiana-Maserati 12 Engine 9
Ret 18 Flag of Argentina svg.png José Froilán González Aston Martin-Jaguar 7 Gearbox 6
Ret 6 Flag of Italy svg.png Dorino Serafini Ferrari 2 Spin 2
DNS 30 Flag of Argentina svg.png Juan Manuel Fangio Alfa Romeo No car
DNS 31 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Stirling Moss Alfa Romeo No car
DNQ 23 Flag of New Zealand svg.png John McMillan Ferrari-Jaguar
DNQ 10 Flag of Australia svg.png David McKay HWM-Alta
DNQ 4 Flag of Australia svg.png Tony Gaze Maserati-Ferrari
DNQ 22 Flag of Australia svg.png Warwick Pratley Ferrari-Jaguar
DNQ 9 Flag of Australia svg.png Jack Brabham HWM-Alta
DNQ 8 Flag of Australia svg.png Doug Whiteford Talbot-Lago-Talbot
DNQ 35 Flag of France svg.png Marcel Balsa Maserati

Notes

Drivers

Constructors

  • Final race win, fastest lap, podium, points, start and entry for Talbot-Lago-Talbot.
  • Final race start and entry for the BMW engine, final entry for the Alta engine.
  • First and only entries for HWM.

Entrants

Lap leaders

Records broken

Drivers

Championship standings

Pos Driver Points
1 Flag of Thailand svg.png B. Bira 30
2 Flag of Italy svg.png Giuseppe Farina 28.5
3 Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Reg Parnell 22
4 Flag of France svg.png Robert Manzon 20.5
5 Flag of Italy svg.png Dorino Serafini 17
Pos Constructor Points
1 Flag of Italy svg.png Ferrari 47
2 Flag of France svg.png Talbot-Lago-Talbot 41
3 Flag of Italy svg.png Alfa Romeo 35.5
4 Flag of France svg.png Gordini 29.5
5 Flag of Spain svg.png Phoenix-Ferrari 17
Pos Driver Points
1 Flag of France svg.png Motorsport Bleu 41
2 Flag of Italy svg.png Scuderia Ferrari 40
3 Flag of Italy svg.png Alfa Romeo SpA 35.5
4 Flag of France svg.png/Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png Gordini 29.5
5 Flag of Spain svg.png Phoenix Racing Organisation 17
  • Only the top five positions are listed.
Previous race:
1952 United States Grand Prix
Alternate Formula 1 World Championship
1952 Season
Next race:
1953 Monaco Grand Prix
Previous race:
None
Australian Grand Prix Next race:
1958 Australian Grand Prix